Buckle up for Bootcamp!

November 20, 2013

Bootcamp. The very word conjures up images of hardline sergeant majors and being brusquely ordered to “drop and give me twenty”! Although it’s probably safe to assume that Brownes Bootcamp won’t necessitate camouflage or freeze-dried rations, a little of the philosophy of intense focus and determination favoured by the military will stand you in good stead for the rigorous programme of personal training developed by its founder, Angus Browne.

A Leigh resident, Angus created the company to offer local outdoor, and possibly more importantly at this time of year with the unpredictable weather - indoor,  fitness training services. From the basis of his involvement in the fitness industry, beginning with a Diploma in Sports and Recreation at Seevic College, Angus began his career at Esporta Clearview Health & Raquet Club where he worked first as an assistant to the trainers and, once qualified, as a trainer himself.

After six years with Esporta, Angus decided the time was right to branch out on his own. He set up Brownes Bootcamp in 2011 and, since then, has expanded from Leigh to include branches in Brentwood, Colchester, Upminster, Thundersley and Tenerife (so, even if you’re holidaying in the Canaries, you can still counteract all that down-time indulgence with a blast of intense activity).

The programme of activities is extensive, and offers something for all ages and abilities: from circuits and stamina workouts to team building exercises and the popular principles of interval training. Angus is also keen to promote his own belief that if you come to bootcamp with a desire to focus and maintain a determination to improve your fitness levels, noticeable results are quickly achieveable.

Although the bootcamp philosophy of all-weather exercise may not be to everyone’s taste, it certainly offers an interesting change from gym-based methods and, coupled with the opportunity of developing a friendly group atmosphere week-on-week, can quickly become something to look forward to, rather than dread.

And the testimonies on Brownes website attest to that very fact. As one member of the Leigh branch says: “I never thought I would say this but I really enjoy Bootcamp. I used to do a lot of walking and swimming which can be boring and lonely, but Brownes Bootcamp is a great way to meet people and actually enjoy working out”.

And that enjoyment is about as far removed from any self-respecting sergeant major’s ideal as it’s possible to get.